What are the causes of heart attack?

Heart Attack Causes. Most heart attacks are the result of coronary heart disease, a condition that clogs coronary arteries with fatty, calcified plaques. In the early 1980s, researchers confirmed that the immediate cause of nearly all heart attacks is not the obstructive plaque itself. read more

Causes. A heart attack occurs when one or more of your coronary arteries become blocked. Over time, a coronary artery can narrow from the buildup of various substances, including cholesterol (atherosclerosis). This condition, known as coronary artery disease, causes most heart attacks. read more

Fast facts on heart attacks: During a heart attack, the heart muscle loses blood supply and is damaged. Chest discomfort and pain are common symptoms. The risk of a heart attack increases when a man is over 45 and a woman is over 55. Smoking and obesity are big factors, particularly in the at-risk age range. read more

Fast facts on heart attacks: During a heart attack, the heart muscle loses blood supply and is damaged. Chest discomfort and pain are common symptoms. The risk of a heart attack increases when a man is over 45 and a woman is over 55. Smoking and obesity are big factors, particularly in the at-risk age range. read more